My time in this northern city has come to an end rather quickly. I am unable to afford to stay longer, this was planned as a short jaunt to visit my youngest daughter. Exploring the city with her is such a joy and I have some ideas to pass along to you dear readers. Here are 5 free things to do in Hamburg Germany that won’t cost a cent, but will be worth your while.
Hamburg Bunker
Flakturm IV, one of two of the largest bunkers ever built. Constructed in 1942 its original purposes were to be an anti-aircraft tower and shelter for up to 25,000 people during air strikes. Made of concrete and originally without windows, those walls are 3.5 metres thick and the ceiling 5 metres thick.
After the war the British occupational forces removed the anti-aircraft guns and installed the windows. By 1946 it was going to be demolished but the need for housing following the war was too great. The small inner chambers were converted into apartments by the city, and the bunker provided shelter for many.
In 1990 it was sold and converted into a media centre. Between 2019-24 the bunker was transformed and that new green section at the top added which includes a hotel and several restaurants. In 2024 the newly renovated ‘Green Bunker’ opened with a ‘mountain path’. A set of stairs that traverses all four sides of the bunker right up to the top where there is a rooftop garden. This is what is free! A leg workout indeed but the views alone are amazing.
Botanischer Sondergarten
A beautiful botanical garden that is completely free to enter. This wee oasis of blossoms is such a lovely respite from the city streets. There are more flowers in this space than I have seen in months, my eyes feel quite assaulted by the colours. Follow the paths and trails around the site and see everything from banana plants to pine trees.
Connecting just outside the back gate of the garden is Eichtelpak, a glorious large park and green space. Filled with ponds, playgrounds, statuary and trails, locals are coming here to bicycle, walk their tiny tots and relax in the sunshine and nature.
St Nicholas Church
Or what remains of it. The church was destroyed in 1943 when allied planes attacked the city. More than 35,000 people died and over 900,000 became homeless. St Nicholas was never rebuilt. Its remains are left to commemorate the victims of the ‘Fire Storm’ and victims of German atrocities in Europe. Originally founded in 1195, it was one of the oldest churches in Hamburg. Entrance is free to walk around those broken walls, look at the pieces of art, statues and other memorabilia that fill the empty void.
Rathaus
Hamburg City Hall was constructed in 1897, a beautiful example of neo-renaissance architecture. The vivid copper roof and lavish interior were intended to show off the wealth of the newly formed Germany Empire. The number of rooms currently sits at 648 with the newest one discovered as recent as 1971.
A must see in Hamburg, don’t miss walking to the left and around the corner. Enter the courtyard through the archway. There sits a magnificent fountain topped by Hygieia the goddess of health and hygiene. This fountain was added in 1892 to remember those who perished in the cholera epidemic.
St Pauli Piers
This area of the city is popular for many reasons that include its vibrant nightlife, football club, red light district and the birth of the beat music movement. The Beatles played in clubs here regularly. It is a working-class neighbourhood and is bursting with local culture, graffiti, street art and atmosphere.
The St Pauli piers are particularly picturesque and span the edge of the Elbe River. The first pier was constructed in 1839 and was the terminal for steamships making their way into the port city of Hamburg. This is where ferries pickup and drop off, the Elbtunnel is located, and the famous Fischmarkt is. Walking along the riverside is such fun, there are so many varieties of watercraft to see including tall ships and catamarans.
Hamburg has no shortage of things to do and see and many are free. I mentioned the Elbtunnel in a previous post, it is also free as are the huge markets. Public transportation is your friend in Hamburg, its efficient, most trains run every 10 minutes and if you purchase a day pass, you can ride everything, including the ferries. I hope you enjoy your time in Hamburg as much as I have, what a fun and exciting city to explore.
